Parliamentary questions

Food Labelling

Bernard Durkan

586. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which food labelling continues to be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56264/12]

Medical Card Drugs

Bernard Durkan

595. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56238/12]

Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

596. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a primary medical certificate and or a motorised transport grant will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56239/12]

Medical Card Drugs

Bernard Durkan

597. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if refusal of a medical card on income grounds can be reviewed or set aside in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56243/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

529. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55608/12]

Public Procurement Tenders

Bernard Durkan

167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which Irish providers can supply goods and services to the Health Service Executive in respect of special footwear, clothing or other appliances which are sometimes provided by brokers in such a way as to disadvantage opportunities for the indigenous supplier by the provision of assorted packages, the combination of which may be lower priced and within which individual items are more costly than those available to indigenous suppliers; if in terms of procurement in the future, provision can be made whereby the use of loss leaders is prevented in procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55042/12]

Vaccination Programme

Bernard Durkan

110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increased incidence of narcolepsy in children and adolescents in Ireland as a result of a side-effect of the Pandemrix vaccine; if he will outline his future plans to support the network of families now affected by this with particular reference to a package of supports he proposes to put in place in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54667/12]

Child Access and Visitation Rights

Bernard Durkan

650. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which an alleged incident reported on the 23 of March resulted in one of the parents being deprived of visitation rights in respect of their children in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; if charges have been preferred or are pending; if further action is contemplated in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54335/12]

Medicinal Products Supply

Bernard Durkan

248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the possible dangers to sufferers of epilepsy arising from the use of generic drugs; if any particular approach has been made to the manufacturers of brand name drugs with a view to a price reduction which would make them more competitive in price with the generic product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53355/12]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Bernard Durkan

698. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if consideration has or will be given by way of award of National Lottery grant toward the operational running costs of a centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the volume and scale of services provided at the centre; if consideration has been given to facilitating a move to a larger premises in a more central location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52833/12]

Medical Card Delays

Bernard Durkan

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card has not issued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52087/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

579. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans in the forthcoming year regarding home help, home care packages and personal assistant hours with particular reference to ensuring that patients can remain in the familiar environment of their home for as long as possible and ensuring the best possible care for the patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50988/12]

Health Insurance Prices

Bernard Durkan

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which his Department continues to monitor activity in the health insurance area with particular reference to the need to retain lower premium payments in the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50806/12]

Hospital Services

Bernard Durkan

45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that any reorganisation of general hospital services throughout the country will not result in the closure or downgrading of existing hospitals on the grounds of being obsolete or outdated particularly if this has been caused by a lack of a proper development plan with adequate funding over the past number of years; if the need to meet patient needs in a particular catchment area will continue to remain the major criterion for the future development of the general hospital services; if the determination of such policy rests with his Department, the Health Service Executive or others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48921/12]

National Children's Hospital Location

Bernard Durkan

47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if in the determination of the location for the new children's hospital he will have particular regard to the unsuitability of the previously preferred location on planning grounds and that there was general agreement on its unsuitability on the grounds of traffic congestion and parking; if he will ensure that the new location will have regard to this issue and that the soon to be chosen site will represent the easiest possible access from all parts and that such access is measured in time of peak traffic times; if he will further ensure that the need to easy and rapid access for children in need of urgent treatment is strictly observed, that the concerns of the parents of sick children are borne in mind and that preparatory expenditure to date does not become a determining factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48920/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date toward a reduction of waiting lists and times in respect of all surgical procedures at all public hospitals throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49139/12]

Bullying in Schools

Bernard Durkan

311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the Health Service Executive has been in a position to assist victims of school bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49140/12]

Health Services Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which it has been found possible to identify areas and causes of expenditure overruns throughout the health services by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49141/12]

Health Services Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the saving to date achieved throughout the public health sector in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49142/12]

National Children's Hospital Location

Bernard Durkan

314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself as to the availability of the most suitable readily accessible site for the provision of the proposed new children's hospital; if he has examined the merits of a greenfill site for the project; if the preparatory consultancy and research costs to date are likely to be more beneficial in a greenfield site situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49143/12]

Nursing Home Services

Bernard Durkan

315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which comparisons continue to be made between average weekly patient costs in public and private nursing homes each caring for patients with similar dependancy and comparable scale and quality of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49144/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Bernard Durkan

316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the cost difference between the use of agency nursing staff as opposed to temporary whole or part time staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49145/12]

Health Services Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent of savings made by his Department throughout the health services in each of the past three years to date; the way front-line services were affected; the impact on administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49146/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Bernard Durkan

318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the numbers of junior hospital doctors, consultants, nursing or other staff levels have fluctuated annually over the past five years to date; the number who have retired or resigned for whatever reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49147/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of child psychiatric or psychological services; the extent to which such services can meet the demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49148/12]

Health Insurance Cover

Bernard Durkan

333. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if EU health insurance cover will adequately cater for surgery costs in Poland during the holiday period having regard to documentation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is employed in this jurisdiction for the past six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49221/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

334. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the extent of the reduction of waiting lists for various medical or surgical procedures in respect of all public hospitals throughout the country over the past two years; the areas that have most shown improvement in this regard; his aspirations for such areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49222/12]

Nursing Home Services

Bernard Durkan

335. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he has been apprised of developments at Crooksling Nursing Home County Dublin resulting in a reduction in patient numbers despite the availability of adequate staffing levels; the restrictions of patient intake and other measures of a slow but inexorable nature which eventually will damage the efficiency and efficacy of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49223/12]

Medical Card Appeals

Bernard Durkan

1033. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the decision to refuse a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47756/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was not granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46650/12]

Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when occupational therapy will be offered as promised to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46827/12]

Mobility Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

585. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an appeal for mobility allowance will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46302/12]

Hospital Services

Bernard Durkan

596. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a hip replacement operation will be scheduled in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45753/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

653. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive treatment at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46239/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

671. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46300/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

675. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46332/12]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Bernard Durkan

617. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has reduced the patient complement at St Bridget’s Nursing Home, Crooksling, County Dublin, at a time when it was necessary to ensure the utilisation of the maximum accommodation for patients and given that previously the full complement of patients was deemed to be 120; if he accepts that intervention by the Health Information and Quality Authority resulting in reduction of patient accommodation undermines the efficiency of the hospital and the need to accommodate the maximum need of patients; if he will undertake to ensure that maximum accommodation for 120 patients is retained, the restoration of the ambulance service which has catered for this community based and community supported service including day care services at Crooksling; if he will as a matter of urgency examine the basis upon which it was determined to curtail the quality and scale of services in view of the ability and commitment of staff to accommodate any requirements; if he will accept that action by HIQA and the HSE has sought to undermine the viability and efficacy of services at the hospital; if he will take whatever steps necessary to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44210/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44041/12]

National Children's Hospital Location

Bernard Durkan

211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate in the context of discussions and submissions of influence relating to the location of the new Children's Hospital, if he will have particular regard to the need to locate the hospital to facilitate the easiest possible accessibility form the point of view of children needing treatment and their parents; if he will undertake to ensure that the primary consideration for the location of the hospital will be patient driven; his views on whether easy and speedy access is of critical importance in the location of the hospital, that adequate parking and that ancillary facilities are available; the number and location of sites now being considered; if the planning consultancy costs to date can be offset against future proposals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44042/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44043/12]

Primary Medical Certificates Applications

Bernard Durkan

213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the application for primary medical certificate in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44044/12]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Bernard Durkan

214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if any provision will be made whereby Bioxtra not currently on the GMS can be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44046/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44047/12]

Mobility Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

508. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an appeal for mobility allowance will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41852/12]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Bernard Durkan

572. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in the determination of eligibility for funding under the National Lottery grants scheme in the case of a club (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41907/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that he and his Department will be in a position to retain frontline services notwithstanding the requirements to make budgetary reductions in line with the agreement entered into by his predecessor in office; if he will outline the full extent of budgetary curtailments required under this heading by the end of the current year and thereafter in 2013; if he has managed to identify how best to manage such financial curtailments and at the same time keep in mind the necessity to provide core and frontline services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40921/12]

Medicinal Products Prices

Bernard Durkan

70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the extent to which generic prescribing will lead to cost reductions throughout the health services in a single year and or for the remainder of the current year; the procurement policies within the health services that are structured in a manner to maintain best practice in respect of patients needs while at the same time availing of competitively priced prescriptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40922/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which waiting lists for various procedures have altered over the past three years to date in 2012; if he intends to take any particular or specific initiatives to address any issues emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41170/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Bernard Durkan

199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of staff numbers throughout the various health services with particular reference to accident and emergency or other emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41171/12]

HSE Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he has received communication from the Health Service Executive in relation to the budgetary reductions in various areas and the need to maintain frontline services; if he expects the need to take any corrective measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41172/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Bernard Durkan

201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which agency nursing or other staff are now employed throughout the health services; the extent to which such positions could be filled by part-time or whole-time temporary staff; the extent to which cost comparisons have been made in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41173/12]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Bernard Durkan

202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the GMS drugs bill has been or can be reduced; and to what extent by whatever means; the proposed schedule for any such event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41174/12]

Hospital Services

Bernard Durkan

203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if in the context of the current economic situation, he directly or through the Health Service Executive has managed to identify areas wherein efficiencies or accelerated patient throughput can be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41175/12]

Ambulance Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of ambulance service cover in all regions throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41176/12]

Health Screening Programmes

Bernard Durkan

205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which school medical examinations remain on target; if any particular health issues have emerged which may require attention in terms of follow up procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41177/12]

Health Screening Programmes

Bernard Durkan

206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if any effort is made to monitor the incidents of children reporting with Autism, ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome or Dyspraxia; the number of such diagnoses recorded annually; the way this figure compares with ten years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41178/12]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Bernard Durkan

207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently residing in general hospitals and awaiting transfer to either public or private nursing homes; the extent of waiting lists; the average time on such waiting lists for placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41179/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently receiving home-help or other supports on an on-going basis in each region throughout the country; the extent to which such persons require full time nursing care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41180/12]

Community Care Provision

Bernard Durkan

209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which community care facilities are likely to be made available to older persons in the future with particular reference to those with a higher degree of mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41181/12]

Medical Card Delays

Bernard Durkan

210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the length of time currently taken to process an application for a medical card; the extent to which the process will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41182/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Bernard Durkan

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which cost comparisons have been made between the use of temporary, whole or part-time staff with agency staff costs; the current number of agency staff employed at all grades; the number of temporary staff, part-time or whole time; the extent to which efforts are being made to ensure non-interference with core or front-line services in the course of meeting budgetary cutbacks arising from the decisions of his predecessors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41212/12]

Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reasons community paediatric occupational therapy will no longer be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40122/12]

Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

404. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40142/12]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Bernard Durkan

410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when support under the nursing home support scheme will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40162/12]

Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

427. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which a person (details supplied) in County Laois is making satisfactory progress and in accordance with their requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40232/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

1496. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if any weaknesses in the child and adolescent mental health services have been identified over recent years; the extent to which new demands are not being met on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37890/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

1510. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37048/12]

Hospital Procedures

Bernard Durkan

1675. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an appointment for a much required hip operation will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37798/12]

Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

1700. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason transport services to the north Kildare psychiatric services has been cut; if he has any plans to reintroduce such a service, which is vital to the local community, in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38097/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

1711. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38160/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

1742. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 232 of 12 July 2012 when the full home care package will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38389/12]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Bernard Durkan

1779. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the currently available beds and facilities at St Brigid’s Nursing Home, Crooksling, County Dublin, are to be replaced by similar community based facilities at the new unit in Inchicore; the extent of fitting out costs; if such costs have been fully determined and provided for; if extra costs have been or are likely to be incurred in the course of transition and follow-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38684/12]

Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

1780. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if any assistance can be given in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38699/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

1807. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38890/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

1814. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38972/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bernard Durkan

1861. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that he has succeeded in ensuring that persons with disabilities can be assured of the availability of personal assistance in the future, having particular regard to the recent announcements which caused great anxiety and stress to people with disabilities; if he will ensure that such matters will not arise in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39307/12]

National Children's Hospital Location

Bernard Durkan

1862. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the future location of the children's hospital remains to be decided; if the concerns of the general public and the recommendations of the various stakeholders are being adequately examined and weighed against the need to ensure that the location of the hospital and the quality and the extent of services to be provided there are in line with children's needs and those of their parents; if he will ensure that the hospital will be located so as to present the easiest possible access from all vantage points; if he will indicate when he expects to be able to make a decision and-or announcement on the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39309/12]

Ambulance Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

1863. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the possible curtailment of the ambulance services throughout County Kildare arising from the need for budgetary constraints; if he is aware of a reduction in the extent of services available in north Kildare; if he will address the issue of reduced cover arising with the view to ensuring the continuation of an adequate and reliable service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39310/12]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Bernard Durkan

1864. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the community based and supported services at Crooksling Nursing Home, County Dublin, will continue in the future; if he will ensure that the patients who have traditionally been accommodated there will continue to have their requirements met in the future and that notwithstanding the proposal to take overflow of patients from Tallaght hospital, Dublin, he will ensure that the buildings requiring some minor refurbishment will be upgraded in order to accommodate the full complement of patients in accordance with tradition and thereby maximising the efficiency and patient-staff ratios; if he will ensure that the ambulance service is fully restored and that day care facilities are maximised in accordance with his principles of community based and primary care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39311/12]

Hospital Services

Bernard Durkan

1865. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he can give his assurance that the full scale of services at Naas hospital, County Kildare, will continue to be provided at the maximum, that use and efficiency of theatres and all services are provided and fully utilised thereby contributing to the efficiency and efficacy of the general health service system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39312/12]